Camphor TreeCamphor Tree Cinnamomum camphora Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Lauraceae(L.) Lauraceae

BiologyBiology• Native to China and JapanNative to China and Japan

• Used for oils and timber productionUsed for oils and timber production

• Medium sized, evergreen treeMedium sized, evergreen tree

BackgroundBackgroundEconomic UsesEconomic Uses

• Originally Originally introduced for introduced for camphorcamphor

• Used as an Used as an ornamental tree in ornamental tree in many landscapesmany landscapes

DistributionDistribution• Found throughout much of Florida, Found throughout much of Florida,

Georgia and western TexasGeorgia and western Texas

• Commonly found along roadways and Commonly found along roadways and disturbed areas, forest edges, and often disturbed areas, forest edges, and often within forestswithin forests

Camphor Tree Distribution in Camphor Tree Distribution in FloridaFlorida

ImpactsImpacts• Category 1 invasive species (FLEPPC)Category 1 invasive species (FLEPPC)

– Ability to spread into undisturbed sitesAbility to spread into undisturbed sites

• Readily establishes, displaces native Readily establishes, displaces native trees, alters ecologytrees, alters ecology

• High quantity of seed High quantity of seed

• Hybridizes with native Lauraceae treesHybridizes with native Lauraceae trees

IdentificationIdentification

Mature PlantMature Plant• Generally 20 to 40 Generally 20 to 40

feet in height, but feet in height, but some specimens some specimens over 100 ftover 100 ft

• Any plant part will Any plant part will have a camphor have a camphor scentscent

• Twigs reddish Twigs reddish brownbrown

Seedlings under a Seedlings under a mature treemature tree

LeavesLeaves• Alternately arrangedAlternately arranged

• Oval to elliptical in Oval to elliptical in shapeshape

• Entire margins, may Entire margins, may be wavybe wavy

• Shiny, dark green Shiny, dark green

FlowersFlowers• Fragrant flowersFragrant flowers

• Greenish white to Greenish white to pale yellowpale yellow

• Borne on panicles, Borne on panicles, approximately 3 approximately 3 inches longinches long

FruitFruit• Fruit is dark blue Fruit is dark blue

to black, contains to black, contains single seedsingle seed

• Fleshy and shinyFleshy and shiny

• ¼ to ½ inch in ¼ to ½ inch in diameterdiameter

• Often in clustersOften in clusters

ManagementManagementPreventativePreventative

CulturalCultural

MechanicalMechanical

BiologicalBiological

ChemicalChemical

PreventativePreventative1.1. Limit planting as an ornamentalLimit planting as an ornamental

2.2. Remove existing plants, targeting Remove existing plants, targeting larger more mature trees first to larger more mature trees first to reduce seedreduce seed

3.3. Avoid use of possibly contaminated Avoid use of possibly contaminated mulch with camphor tree seedsmulch with camphor tree seeds

4.4. Rouge out trees in abandoned areasRouge out trees in abandoned areas

CulturalCultural1.1. Alternative landscape plants to Alternative landscape plants to

replace camphor treereplace camphor tree

2.2. Programs to educate homeowners Programs to educate homeowners about the problems associated with about the problems associated with camphor tree and proper identificationcamphor tree and proper identification

3.3. Maintain good ground cover and Maintain good ground cover and mixture of plant species to reduce mixture of plant species to reduce establishmentestablishment

BiologicalBiological1.1. There are no known biological control There are no known biological control

agents available for camphor tree agents available for camphor tree management in Florida or the management in Florida or the southeastern U.S.southeastern U.S.

MechanicalMechanical1.1. Hand pull young seedlings, including Hand pull young seedlings, including

all roots, repeated pulling for resproutsall roots, repeated pulling for resprouts

2.2. Cut tree down at ground levelCut tree down at ground level

3.3. Girdling is effective for large treesGirdling is effective for large trees Cut through bark approximately 6 inches Cut through bark approximately 6 inches

above the ground, encircling tree baseabove the ground, encircling tree base

4.4. Mowing is effective on small saplings Mowing is effective on small saplings and resprouts, but must be repeatedand resprouts, but must be repeated

Chemical - FoliarChemical - Foliar1.1. Over-the-top applications for Over-the-top applications for

seedlings, resprouts and small treesseedlings, resprouts and small trees

2.2. Thoroughly wet leaves with herbicideThoroughly wet leaves with herbicide Triclopyr – 2% solutionTriclopyr – 2% solution Glyphosate – 2 to 3% solutionGlyphosate – 2 to 3% solution Use surfactant at 0.25% Use surfactant at 0.25%

3.3. Best results applied July to OctoberBest results applied July to October

Chemical - BasalChemical - Basal1.1. Individual trees, near desirable speciesIndividual trees, near desirable species

2.2. Use 25% triclopyr solution with basal Use 25% triclopyr solution with basal oiloil

3.3. Apply 12 to 15 inches above ground on Apply 12 to 15 inches above ground on tree trunktree trunk

4.4. Wet thoroughly for good control, spray Wet thoroughly for good control, spray until run-off is noticeable at ground lineuntil run-off is noticeable at ground line

Chemical – Cut StumpChemical – Cut Stump

1.1. Individual trees, near desirable speciesIndividual trees, near desirable species

2.2. Cut trunks/stems horizonally at or near Cut trunks/stems horizonally at or near ground levelground level

3.3. Apply 25% solution of glyphosate or Apply 25% solution of glyphosate or triclopyrtriclopyr

4.4. Cover the outer 20% of the stumpCover the outer 20% of the stump

5.5. Marker (blue) dye is helpful Marker (blue) dye is helpful

Useful LinksUseful Links• Floridata Homepage:

http://www.floridata.com/main_fr.cfm?state=Welcome&viewsrc=welcome.htm

• University of Florida Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants: http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/welcome.html

• Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council: http://www.fleppc.org/

Useful LinksUseful Links• Plants of Hawaii Reports:

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/cinnamomum_camphora.htm

• Land Protection. 2001. NRM facts pest series. Department of Natural Resources and Mines, State of Queensland, Australia. Available: http://www.nrm.qld.gov.au

Literature CitedLiterature CitedLangeland, K.A. and K. Craddock Burks. Langeland, K.A. and K. Craddock Burks. 1998. Identification and Biology of Non-1998. Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. IFAS Publication SP 257. University of IFAS Publication SP 257. University of Florida, Gainesville. 165 ppFlorida, Gainesville. 165 pp